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Biological control of tomato Fusarium wilt and whiteflies with two fungal biopesticides

Authors

A.M. Cotes, C.A. Moreno-Velandia, C. Espinel, L. Villamizar, M. Gómez

Abstract

This work summarizes the efforts and successes toward practical applications of two biopesticides.
The first one, TRICOTEC®, based on Trichoderma koningiopsis Th003, to control Fusarium wilt (FW), and the second one, LECABIOL®, based on Lecanicillium lecanii Vl026, to control whitefly.
For TRICOTEC®, our attention was focused on protection of the tomato spermosphere or rhizosphere.
Application of TRICOTEC® reduced the incidence of damping-off in tomato seedlings from 38 to 96%, and FW incidence from 42 to 58%. On the other hand, LECABIOL® showed an efficacy against both Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum ranging from 60 to 70%, with increased profits, demonstrating economic benefits.
Both biopesticides have been incorporated sequentially in efficacy tests to simultaneously control FW and whiteflies.
Use directions, application rate, method, and timing were established to integrate them in commercial tomato production.